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The Countdownto 2015 is a collaboration among individuals and institutions, established in 2005, that aims to summarize and highlight the best and most recent information on country-level progress in achieving coverage of key interventions, and thereby documenting accomplishments and revitalizing efforts by countries towards the achievement of the health-related Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5, with particular attention to the continuum of care of reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health.
Why is the Countdownto 2015 important?
- Because the Countdown to 2015 extends and reinforces the efforts of all agencies and institutions by providing a mechanism to hold countries and their partners accountable for achieving real results at population-level;
- Because the Countdown to 2015 will continue and expand in the years between now and 2015, providing a mechanism for learning how effective interventions and approaches can be scaled up in different country contexts.
What principles underlie the work of the Countdownto 2015?
- A focus on country-level action to increase coverage of key MNCH interventions in 68 selected countries that comprise 97% of the global burden of maternal and childhood deaths.
- A commitment to evidence-based interventions and approaches that are feasible and affordable for delivery at universal coverage levels in poor countries.
- Building on and reinforcing existing monitoring efforts
- Complementing the mission and aims of other organizations and initiatives, yet remaining as a supra-institutional entity tightly focused on evaluating, monitoring and improving intervention coverage.
What are the objectives of the Countdown to 2015?
- To summarize, synthesize and disseminate the most credible and recent information on country-level progress in achieving high, sustained and equitable coverage with interventions effective in reducing mortality among mothers, newborns and children less than five years of age; and
- To utilize coverage results to engage key decision-makers at the national and international levels to stimulate discussion and action to overcome barriers to progress.
What has the Countdown to 2015 accomplished to date?
- International consensus on a set of indicators to be used in tracking coverage for interventions with proven effectiveness in reducing maternal, newborn and child mortality and improve maternal health.
- Country-by-country reports on coverage levels for 2005 in the 60 countries with the highest rates or numbers of deaths among children less than five years of age.
- A major international conference in December 2005 (London, UK), bringing together researchers, program managers, donors and advocates from country, regional and international levels to review progress towards the MDGs and develop coordinated strategies to improve coverage of effective interventions.
- Production of a report and publication in The Lancet reporting on 2005 coverage levels.
- Stimulation of work in key areas associated with intervention coverage in poor countries, including financial flows, human resources, equity and political commitment.
- Spin-off activities including the first country-level Countdown to 2015 in Senegal in December 2006, a policy change by UNICEF to support Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys at three- rather than five-year intervals, and a coalescence of monitoring efforts to focus on the Countdown to 2015 coverage indicators by the United Nations global initiatives including the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, the Health Metrics Network, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization and the Global Campaign for the Health-Related MDGs (including the International Health Partnership, Deliver Now for Women and Children, the Catalytic Initiative and Providing for Health).
Why organize the Second Countdown to 2015 Conference in Cape Town, South Africa?
The decision to organize the Second Countdown to 2015 Conference in Cape Town, South Africa is based on the fact that countries in sub-Saharan Africa have the highest burden of maternal, newborn and child mortality. While there is evidence that some countries have been successful in accelerating progress, the situation in many countries is stagnating or even reversing. Hosting a conference on the African continent will hopefully facilitate the participation of many country delegations.
In addition, the Countdown to 2015 Conference will take place in conjunction with the 118th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), which is organized in Cape Town, South Africa on 13-18 April 2008 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. The IPU Assembly will gather more than 1,000 Parliamentarians from all countries and this represents a great opportunity for the Countdown to sensitize decision- and policy-makers to MNCH issues.
How Is the conference organized?
The conference will be organized around a series of plenary sessions that cover the main topics addressed by the working groups, i.e. intervention coverage, equity, health systems and human resources, financial flows and aid harmonization. Special emphasis will be put on parallel sessions to present country case studies and examples of successful experiences.
The conference will provide a venue for discussion and the exchange of views and ideas among the participants. Understanding the mechanisms that favour the promotion of MNCH in particular settings and exchanging views on best practices at the country level are of particular importance to the conference.
In addition and as explained above, the Countdown to 2015 Conference will take place in conjunction with the 118th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. A special two hours session will take place on Thursday, 17 April 2008 between the Countdown participants and a delegation of IPU Parliamentarians – in particular with Parliamentarians of the 66 priority countries that are addressed in the Countdown to 2015 coverage report. Such an exchange will certainly prompt Parliamentarians to take action on MNCH upon their return home.
Who can attend the conference?
The 68 priority countries will be invited to send a high-level delegation whose presence at the conference will be supported by the conference organizers. Additionally: experts, health professionals and others involved in MNCH may also be invited to participate and register by the Countdown to 2015 partner agencies. The total number of participants will be limited to 400.
How can I contact you?
All queries and questions regarding attendance should be sent to:
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